WBB: American Rivers Conference

[WLCALUM83]

Final in first game tonight:  Carroll 86, IL Wesleyan 59. (the Pioneers broke it open in the second half. Their 1-2 punch of Wickert and Hoewisch had great games scoring wise.)

[WLCALUM83]

Half:  Luther, IA 38, Concordia-WI 24.

[Storm-what?]

HUGE win for the Storm with the upset on the road over #15 UW-Stout!!! 91-86

Great team effort! KatlynWhiton putting up the numbers and Whitney Franker just coming out with an amazing game!

Great job Storm, way to battle and represent!!

[WLCALUM83]

Luther all over Concordia-WI as well (by 25 with some 5 minutes left in 2nd half).

Now I know why the Norse broke into the top 25! Props to you!

[Fawkes316]

Did anyone notice that the two teams in tomorrow's game at Stout are the Storm and the Thunder?

[Fawkes316]

That's the kind of amazing breakdown you only get from me!

Actually, it should be an interesting game. From my understanding Simpson likes to run and gun. Wheaton's not against running, but I guarantee they aren't planning on giving up 70 points (in regulation at least), nevermind 91. They did give up 81 to Olivet Nazerene (still a win), but that was when Elizabeth Fox was still injured.

Should be a good game. Wonder what kind of crowd will be there?

[BVHawk]

Most of Iowa is still digging themselves out.

Congrats to Simpson and Luther.  Way to represent the IIAC!

[buf]

Great game at the Johnson!

Close game all the way, except for the beginning.  After the first few minutes, it looked like Stout was going to destroy Simpson.  However, Simpson got it together and actually took a 42-36 lead.  Stout ends the half with a big run to take a 47-43 halftime lead.  Simpson takes control right away in the 2nd and builds a lead of 3 or 4.  Stout comes back to tie, but Simpson manages to answer every Blue Devil run.  Simpson gets lead up to 10 with 1:30 left.  Stout makes a furious comeback (thanks in part to some Simpson missed FTs) and actually gets within 3 with 36sec.  Simpson does enough down the stretch to pull out the victory.

Whiton and Franker played excellent for Simpson.  Whiton and an odd but effective inside shot, which she hit time and time in the 2nd half.  Franker played both well outside and inside.  She often posted up in the 2nd half.  Basically Stout had no answer for Simpson's inside game. 

I know its easy to criticize when a team loses, but I have to wonder why Duoss spent a lot of time in the 2nd half on the bench?  She wasn't in foul trouble and she was dominating when she was in there.  She ended up going 10-10 from the field.  Duoss, along with Oetjen ended their careers playing very well for the Devils.  They were clearly the best two on the court for Stout.  Hirrsig had a nice hustle game which ended in a double double.

Congrats to Stout on good season.  Just wish it didn't end so soon.

Simpson has a nice team.  If they play the way they did tonight, they should win tomorrow.  Wheaton does like the slower style play.  They pulled a couple out of their "you know what" tonight to advance to tomorrow's game.

[Storm-what?]

The Storm prove they deserve this tournament spot as they kill the Wheaton Thunder 81-58. Another well-balanced effort by the whole team!

[WLCALUM83]

Noticed Luther knocked off Carroll, too.

[ball5fan]

more proof of how strong the IIAC is....good luck to Luther and Simpson from a Beaver!

[gordonmann]

Preliminary indications are that Ryan Coleman and I will be heaed to Lutherland on Friday.  Should be a good time.

[tribute]

i will be making the trip from Montana to Decorah for the game against Washington U. Well actually, i already played on the trip prior to the location being announced, but it will still be nice to take in a the alma mater's hosting of the sweet sixteen. congrats to the Norse, and i am looking forward to a great atmosphere in the regents center.

[WAC]

Hello from the Pacific Northwest: Those of us in Oregon and Washington are looking for some advice. It looks like the only reasonable option is to fly in to Minneapolis/St. Paul and drive to Decorah. Rochester, MN is closer but the airfare is double and it doesn't save any time by the time you sit at the airport waiting for the commuter flight. Question is what's the best driving route from Minneapolis to Decorah? Good luck on Friday night.

[tribute]

WAC,

The best and only way from minneapolis to decorah is two drive down highway 52. Upon leaving MSP airport take highway 5 west until your arrive at the 494 interchange, take 494 east until the you see the exit for highway 52 south. Once you enter 52, it will take you all the way to decorah. Highway 52 will be four lanes until just south of rochester, from there the drive is a two lane highway. That is the best way from MSP to decorah. If you have any questions just ask.

Tom